Instrument panel with system of transparent colored layers

ABSTRACT

An instrument panel, in particular for a display in a motor vehicle, with a sheet-like carrier ( 7 ) on which colors have been applied for representing a scale and/or characters and/or symbols as well as for covering the regions outside the contours of the scale, characters or symbols. The colors of the scale, characters or symbols comprise a system of layers ( 13 ) formed by a plurality of transparent color layers of different coloration fully or partially covering over one another.

The invention relates to an instrument panel, in particular for adisplay in a motor vehicle, with a sheet-like carrier on which colorshave been applied for representing a scale and/or characters and/orsymbols as well as for covering the regions outside the contours of thescale, characters or symbols.

In the case of such instrument panels, it is known for the creation ofcolor representations to apply the particular color [lacuna] the carrierat the places for a scale, characters and symbols that are to beperceptible in this particular color. This application of color takesplace by means of screen printing and requires that a color with exactlythe desired coloration is used. Since instrument panels for a display ina motor vehicle are usually provided with a plurality of color imprints,these different colors must be available in the respectively desiredcoloration. The color tones of the colors to be used in the case ofdifferent displays are usually not the same, so that stockkeeping with alarge number of colors is required and, if there is a change ofinstrument panels to be printed, this causes great expenditure onre-equipping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide an instrumentpanel of the type specified at the beginning which can be produced withthe widest variety of color tones in a simple way.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the colors of thescale and/or the characters and/or the symbols comprising a system oflayers formed by a plurality of transparent color layers of differentcoloration fully or partially covering over one another. This formationallows any desired color toning to be achieved with few basic colors byappropriate printing one on top of the other. Consequently, only thebasic colors have to be available for a wide variety of color tones, sothat the stockkeeping of the colors can be kept down. Re-equipping forother color tones to be produced in the case of a wide variety ofinstrument panels is no longer needed.

The sheet-like carrier may be both opaque, with preferably whitecoloration, and transparent or translucent as well as able to betransilluminated by a light source from its side facing away from theobserver. The incident light reflected in this case at the carrier orthe transmitted light passing through the carrier radiates through thetransparent color layers covering over one another and thus creates therespectively desired color toning by mixing.

A particularly fine structure, which also permits particularly smoothcolor transitions, is achieved by the transparent color layers of thesystem of layers being applied to the carrier in a grid of points, itbeing possible for the points of the grid of points to be approximatelybetween 400 and 3000 points per inch, in particular approximately 800points per inch. This gives such a fine resolution of the grid of pointsthat it is no longer seen by the human eye as a grid but as ahomogeneous color.

The points of the grid of points may be of equal size or else ofdifferent sizes.

As an alternative to the transparent color layers applied in a grid ofpoints, these transparent color layers may also be applied to thecarrier as sheet-like areas of color, the sheet-like areas of colorpreferably corresponding to the areas of the scale and/or the charactersand/or the symbols.

If the transparent color layers of the system of layers are covered fromthe observer side by a transflective color layer, the color of thetransflective color layer is visible when there is incident light fromthe front and the color of the transparent color layers, or a mixedcolor composed of the transparent color layers and the transflectivecolor layer, is visible when there is transmitted light from the rearside of the instrument panel.

In this case, the transflective color layer is preferably white.

If the transflective color layer is cut away in parts of the scaleand/or the characters and/or the symbols and transparent color layersfully or partially covering over one another, forming a further systemof layers, [lacuna] applied to the carrier in the region of the cutaway,the region of the cutaway can be seen in a different color when there isincident light than the part covered by the transparent color layer.This makes it possible, for example, to present a particular part, suchas the end region of a scale for example, in a distinctive red color forexample, while the other part of the scale appears white.

To even out the uneven light-intensity distribution of the light sourceilluminating Instrument panel from the rear side, an evening-out printcorresponding to the light-intensity distribution of the light sourcemay be applied, fully or partially covering over the carrier, on theside of the first and/or further system of layers facing away from theobserver.

If in this case the evening-out print comprises color layers which fullyor partially cover over one another and are applied in a grid of pointsor as areas of color of variable density, an evening-out print havingsmooth transitions adapted to the finest differences in light intensitycan also be created by the fine structure of the evening-out print.

The first system of layers and/or the transflective layer and/or thefurther system of layers and/or the evening-out print may be applied tothe carrier on the side facing the observer or on the side facing awayfrom the observer. If all the layers are applied to the carrier on thesame side, this simplifies the operation of printing these layers.

The sheet-like carrier may be a sheeting, in particular a sheetingconsisting of polycarbonate.

To increase the adhesiveness of the color coating on the carrier, inparticular on the carrier in the form of a sheeting, anadhesion-promoter layer may be arranged on the side of the carrierbearing a color coating, between the carrier and the color coating.

The color covering the regions outside the contours of the scale, thecharacters or symbols may be an at least largely opaque, in particularblack, color. This increases the contrast between the area of thedisplay and the scale, characters or symbols and consequently improvesthe good readability.

Each of the transparent color layers of the first and/or further systemof layers may be applied to the carrier in a separate printingoperation.

If the first and/or further system of layers is applied to the carrieras a separately created system of layers, these systems of layers can beproduced with very high dimensional accuracy and avoid register problemswhen printing onto the carrier.

The first system of layers and/or the transflective layer and/or thefurther system of layers and/or the evening-out print and/or the opaquecolor may be applied to the carrier in separate printing operations.

A simplification of the printing operation and increase in dimensionalaccuracy of the individual layers with respect to one another isachieved if the first system of layers and/or the transflective layerand/or the further system of layers and/or the evening-out print and/orthe opaque color are applied to the carrier as a separately createdsystem of layers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detailbelow and are represented in the drawings, in which

FIG. 1 shows a view of an instrument panel,

FIG. 2 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a cross section of a regionof an instrument panel,

FIG. 3 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a cross section of aregion of an instrument panel,

FIG. 4 shows a third exemplary embodiment of a cross section of a regionof an instrument panel,

FIG. 5 shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of a cross section of aregion of an instrument panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The instrument panel represented in FIG. 1 is an instrument panel for adisplay in a motor vehicle and has a scale 1 with a symbol for the fueltank filling level, a scale 2 for the speed, a scale 3 for the enginerpm as well as a scale 4 with a symbol for the washing water fillinglevel. Furthermore, there are two direction-indicating arrows 5 and asymbol bar 6 with warning areas for the battery, full-beam headlightsand oil level.

The exemplary embodiments of the cross-sectional construction ofinstrument panels represented in FIGS. 2 to 5 have a sheet-like carrier7, which comprises a sheeting of polycarbonate and in FIGS. 2 to 4 istransparent. In FIG. 5, the carrier is of an opaque black form. It goeswithout saying that the carriers, in particular of FIGS. 3 and 5, mayalso consist of a different material, such as paper or card for example,and in this case are either translucent or non-translucent.

In FIGS. 2 to 5 there are arranged, seen from the side of the observerof the display, firstly a transparent anti-reflective layer 8 with anirregularly structured surface and an opaque black color layer 9, whichcovers the entire area of the carrier 7 with the exception of the scalesand symbols. If the area of the carrier facing the observer has anirregularly structured surface, it is possible to dispense with theanti-reflective layer 8.

The color layer 9 could also be translucent to a slight extent. Therejust has to be adequate contrast with respect to the scales and symbols.

In FIGS. 2 to 4 there is a further color layer 10, which istransflective and preferably white, arranged at least in regions of thescales and symbols.

In further regions 12 of the scales and symbols in FIGS. 2 to 4 there isarranged a system of layers 13, formed by a plurality of fully orpartially transparent color layers, so that the region 11 of the scalesand symbols can be seen in a white color and the region 12 of the scalesand symbols can be seen in the mixed color of the system of layers 13(for example red) when illuminated from the observer side (daylight,illumination by incident light).

The exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 4 show displays which can beilluminated for night-time operation by a light source 14 arranged onthe side facing away from the observer.

To make the regions 11 of the scales and symbols appear in a differentcolor, for example green, during operation of the light source 14 thanwhen the light source 14 is not activated, a further system of layers15, formed by a plurality of transparent color layers fully or partiallycovering over one another, is arranged in the regions 11 behind thefirst system of layers 13. Between this system of layers 15 and thelight source 14 there is an evening-out print 16, the lighttransmittance of which is, for example, inversely proportional to thelight-intensity distribution of the light source 14, so that light ofthe same intensity passes through the evening-out print 16 over the areaof the instrument panel.

In addition, in FIG. 2 the evening-out print 16 is provided in theregions lying opposite the at least largely opaque color layer 9 with areflective layer 17, by which the stray light present in the carrier 7and not leaving toward the observer side at the regions 11 and 12 can berepeatedly reflected to the observer side until it leaves toward theobserver side at the regions 11 or 12. Consequently, a loss of lightwithin Instrument panel is largely avoided.

FIG. 5 shows an instrument panel for a display which is illuminated byincident light from the side of the observer. This may take place bymeans of the ambient light or by means of a light source arranged infront of the display.

In the region 11 of the scales and symbols there is arranged behind theopaque color layer 9 a system of layers 13 comprising a plurality oftransparent color layers fully or partially covering over one another,the mixed color of which can be seen by the observer. Behind the systemof layers 13 there is on the carrier 7 a reflective layer 18, which isalso arranged behind the region 12 of the scales and symbols.

The light hitting Instrument panel on the observer side passes throughin the regions 11 and 12 to the reflective layer 18 and is reflectedthere toward the observer side. Since the light in the region 11 mustpass through the transparent system of layers 13, this region appears inthe mixed color of the system of layers 13 with the reflected light. Theregion 12, on the other hand, appears in the color in which the light isreflected by the reflective layer.

Both the systems of layers 13 and 15 and the further color layers 9 and10 as well as the evening-out print 16 and, if appropriate, also thereflective layers 17 and 18 are formed by a plurality of transparentcolor layers fully or partially covering over one another andrespectively of the same or different coloration and are applied to thecarrier 7 in a grid of points or as sheet-like areas of color. Thecolors of these layers are created in a simple way by the use of thebasic colors yellow, magenta, cyan and black as well as white, therespective mixed color of the basic colors giving the color that can beseen by the observer when light passes through the system of layers.Consequently, any desired coloration can be created by these basiccolors, without a specially prepared color having to be produced. Inaddition to these basic colors there is the color white, forrepresenting the white areas. Of course, the possibility of a furthercolor, already mixed in advance, being additionally used is not ruledout.

To be able to print Instrument panel in a simple way with high precisionand with little expenditure of time, a digital printing process may beused.

We claim:
 1. An instrument panel, in particular for a display in a motorvehicle, the panel having a transflective color layer, and a sheet-likecarrier which carrier is transparent or translucent and on which colorshave been applied on the carrier for representing a scale and/orcharacters and/or symbols as well as at least substantially opaque colorfor covering the regions outside the contours of the characters orsymbols, wherein the colors of the scale (1-4) and/or the charactersand/or the symbols comprise a system of layers (13, 15) formed by aplurality of transparent layers of different coloration fully orpartially covering over one another, wherein the transparent colorlayers of the system of layers (13) are covered on an observer side bythe transflective color layer (10), wherein the carrier istransilluminatable by a light source from a side thereof facing awayfrom the observer, wherein the transparent color layers of the system oflayers (13, 15) are applied to the carrier in a grid of points, whereinthe colors of the layers are created by use of basic colors yellow,magenta, cyan and black and white, and wherein the transmitting light ofthe light source passing through the carrier radiates through thetransparent color layers covering one another and thus creating therespective desired color toning by mixing of the basic colors. 2.Instrument panel according to claim 1, wherein points of said grid ofpoints are positioned approximately between 400 and 3000 points perinch.
 3. Instrument panel according to claim 2, wherein points of saidgrid of points are approximately 800 points per inch.
 4. Instrumentpanel according to claim 1, wherein points of said grid of said pointshave different sizes.
 5. Instrument panel according to claim 1, whereinthe transparent color layers of the system of layers are applied to thecarrier as sheet-like areas of color.
 6. Instrument panel according toclaim 5, wherein the sheet-like areas of color correspond to the areasof the scale and/or the characters and/or the symbols.
 7. Instrumentpanel according to claim 1, wherein the transflective color layer (10)is white.
 8. Instrument panel according to claim 1, wherein thetransflective color layer (10) is cut away in parts of the scale (1-4)and/or the characters and/or the symbols and transparent color layersfully or partially covering over one another, forming a further systemof layers (15), are applied to the carrier (7) in a region (12) of thecutaway.
 9. Instrument panel according to claim 1, wherein an averagingprint (16) corresponding to a light-intensity distribution of lightsource (14) is applied, fully or partially covering over the carrier, ona side of the system of layers and/or a further system of layers (13,15) facing away from an observer.
 10. Instrument panel according toclaim 9, wherein the averaging print (16) comprises color layers whichfully or partially cover over one another and are applied in a grid ofpoints or as areas of color of variable density.
 11. Instrument panelaccording to claim 1, wherein the system of layers (13) and/or atransflective layer (10) and/or a further system of layers (15) and/oran averaging print (16) are applied to the carrier (7) on a side facingan observer or on a side facing away from the observer.
 12. Instrumentpanel according to claim 1, wherein the carrier (7) is a sheeting. 13.Instrument panel according to claim 12, wherein the carrier (7)comprises polycarbonate.
 14. Instrument panel according to claim 1,further comprising an adhesion-promoter layer arranged on a side of thecarrier (7) bearing a color coating, between the carrier (7) and thecolor coating.
 15. Instrument panel according to claim 1, wherein theopaque color (9) is black.
 16. Instrument panel according to claim 1,wherein each of the transparent color layers of the system of layersand/or a further system of layers (13, 15) is applied to the carrier (7)in a separate printing operation.
 17. Instrument panel according toclaim 1, wherein the system of layers and/or a further system of layers(13, 15) is applied to the carrier (7) as a separately created system oflayers.
 18. Instrument panel according to claim 1, wherein the system oflayers (13) and/or a transflective layer (10) and/or a further system oflayers (15) and/or an evening-out print (16) and/or an opaque color (9)are applied to the carrier (7) in separate printing operations. 19.Instrument panel according to claim 1, wherein the system of layers (13)and/or a transflective layer (10) and/or a further system of layers (15)and/or an evening-out print (16) and/or an opaque color (9) are appliedto the carrier (7) as a separately created system of layers.